Eveline de Klerk

WALVIS BAY – Walvis Bay mayor Trevino Forbes has told the local administration to take charge and act with more urgency on resolutions taken by council.

Forbes made the plea during the first ordinary council meeting for 2022 on Monday evening, saying councillors and the town’s administration should unite so that the town can progress.

“This year should and would be the year of action. We have learned a lot from last year. We know what the challenges are, and we know no problem comes without a solution. So this year, we are solving problems. Be it roads or sewage, solutions must be found and implemented,” Forbes stressed.

He added that Farm 37 is also part of their priorities this year, as residents are growing impatient due to the housing challenges they face. Farm 37 was identified in 2016 by the former council and late Erongo governor Cleophas Mutjavikua as a solution to the housing shortage the town is facing. 

At least 50 000 residents are either renting or living in backyard shacks, thus exposing them to deplorable living conditions. Farm 37 has the potential to yield at least 30 000 erven.

“We, as councillors, are giving our assurance that we will sit down and identify all the challenges that we face in Walvis Bay and find ways to iron them all out. I was told that this huge institution was being run without a strategic plan when we took office last year. However, I am proud to say that the plan that we started will be completed early this year, together with the local economic development plan, as we plan to get things done,” Forbes promised.  According to him, every resolution taken should be executed in the best interest of the town and its residents.